Rainbow Basin National Natural Landmark

Rainbow Basin National Natural Landmark Review

Many science-fiction movies set on Mars have been filmed at Rainbow Basin National Natural Landmark, 8 mi north of Barstow. Huge slabs of mildly red, orange, white, and green stone tilt at crazy angles like ships about to capsize; hike the washes, and you'll likely see the fossilized remains of creatures (such as mastodons and bear-dogs), which roamed the basin up to 16 million years ago. You can camp here, at Owl Canyon Campground, on the east side of Rainbow Basin. Be aware that the dirt roads to—and especially within—the site are in poor condition.